Interlocking-block structure.



A. HAAS.

INTERLOOKING BLOCK STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19, 1912.

1 040 190. Patented Oct. 1, 1912. 2 HEETB-SREET 1.

FIGJ. 2

FIG.2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR A. HAAS.

INTERLOGKING BLOCK STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19, 1912.

1,040, 1 90. Patented Oct. 1, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2v AUGUST HAAS, OF GRAPEVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

INTERLOGKING-BLOCK STRUCTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1,1912.

Application filed January 19, 1912. Serial No. 672,101.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it. known that I, Aueus'r HAAS, a resident of Grapeville, in the county of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Interlocking-Block Structures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to interlocking ornamental block structures for various uses, and is designed primarily for creating useful and ornamental effects in glass, the blocks being preferably formed of that material.

In the present adaptation the invention is utilized in the formation of a base and rim or inclosing wall of a dish-like structure suitable for fruit, flowers, etc.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of a dish or container structure in which the improved interlocking blocks are utilized, the same being shown partly in side elevation and partly in vertical central sec- .tion. Fig. 2 is a top plan of part of the assemblage shown in Fig. 1, a portion thereof being broken away and shown in section to illustrate the base or foot-forming members. Fig. 3 illustrates in detail the several blocks in building up one of the units. Fig. 41: is a detail of one pair of blocks of slightly modified form.

Each of the several block units consists essentially of a primary or unit-carrying arm rectangular in cross-section, two pairs of interlocking blocks arranged at right angles to each other with each pair embracing the primary arm, and a key arranged parallel with the primary arm and entered in notches in the interlocking block pairs. The primary arm is notched to receive one of the pairs of blocks which I denote the first pair, and the other blocks which embrace unnotched portions of the primary arm are termed the second pair.

Each unit consists of an arm 2, angular in cross-section and formed with two separated parallel notches 3 which connect adjacent faces of the arm, being cut through one of the arm angles or corners 1. Adapted to seat centrally in notches 3 are the interchangeable blocks 5 of the first pair of .blocks, said blocks formed on their adjacent faces with the right-angle depressions or recesses 6. A tapered projection 17 is preferably formed centrally in the depressed face 6 of each block. These projections do not interfere with the interlocking of the several blocks, and serve to strengthen the blocks 5. Depressions 6 so reduce the thickness of the material that without the central enlargements or projections 17 they are liable to warp or become distorted during the process of manufacture. The enlargements in question obviate this tendency. However, the

central projections may be omitted from de pressions 6 of blocks 5, as shown in Fig. 4.

Blocks 7 of the second pair are duplicates one of the other and are preferably rectangular in cross-section to accurately lit the right-angle depressions 6 of the first pair. Blocks 7 are formed with the angular notches 8 adjacent one end to embrace the angles or corners 9 of arm 2, and adjacent their opposite ends are similarly notched at 10 to form a key passage. Alining with notches 10 are notches 11 of blocks 5 of the first pair. As the key block 12 is preferably angular in cross-section notches l0 and 11 are of angular form. The oppositely tapered projections 18, intermediate notches 8 and 10 fit around the central tapered projections 17 of blocks 5, as will be understood. In the adaptation here shown the block units are utilized as rim or wall-forming elements of a fruit dish or other container, also as base or foot elements therefor.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 13 is a column or pedestal which is preferably flat and circular at its upper end to removably receive the bottom-forming plate or element 14, which is formed with a seat at its under side to fit the upper end of the pedestal, as indicated at 15, the bottom 14 being revoluble so that the container proper may be turned as desired. At intervals around. its periphery the bottom 141 is formed with depressions or sockets 16 to receive the reduced extremities 2 of arms 2 of the block structure units. In this adaptation arms 2 stand vertical, and the units are preferably of double formation, 2'. 6., each arm 2 carries two sets of interlocking blocks, and hence is formed with two sets of notches 3. Obviously, each of the rimforming elements could be made to include only one set of blocks, or even more than two. The block units are so arranged around bottom 14: as to provide a substantially continuous wall or rim, thus forming a dish or receptacle suitable for fruit, flowers, etc. Extremities 2 of the arms removably fit sockets 16 so that the elements may be taken off and cleaned. at the base of pedestal 18 unit arms 2 project horizontally, being preferably formed integral with the pedestal, with the notches 3 at their under sides so that the first and second pairs and 7, respectively, and keys 12 are projected downwardly and form feet, the extremities of the second pair 7 bearing on the table or other sup aort.

As the entire structure, including all of the separate blocks, is preferably formed of glass, the color of which may be varied as desired, an object of pleasing and attractive appearance is produced. And although made up of quite a number of parts, all may be separated for cleaning and for packing or shipping, or when not in use.

1 am aware of the patent to Chandler, No. 393,816, December 4, 1888, and in the patent granted to me January 2,1912,No. 1,013,156, I have shown a form of interlocking block construction. The interfitting of the blocks of the present invention differs from the constructions referred to in that they are assembled and interlocked with right-angle holds one upon the other, and particularly the right-angle connections between the first and second pairs of blocks, and it is quite impossible to so shake or the units as to separate the blocks, an objection to each of the prior constructions referred to.

I claim 1. The combination of a bottom-forming member, a surrounding wall extending upwardly from the bottom member and consisting of a series of transversely notched uprights spaced apart, and blocks interlocking with and secured to the uprights and closing the spaces between adjacent uprights.

2. The combination of a bottom-forming member, a wall therefor consisting of a series of transversely notched uprights spaced apart, notched blocks disposed transversely of and interlocking with the upri hts and closing the spaces between adjacent uprights, and vertical key blocks paralleling the uprights and interlocking with the transverse blocks.

3. The combination of a pedestal, notched arms projecting therefrom, and notched blocks interlocking with the arms and forming downward foot-forming extensions.

The combination of a pedestal, arms proectino ho-rizontall I therefrom and notched J a 5 horizontal key blocks" beneath and parallel with said notched arms and interlocking with the said vertical and horizontal blocks.

5. T he combination of a bottom member having a top surface formed with a succession of downwind depressions, and a succession of block-formed units raised from the bottom and constituting a wall, each unit consisting of an upright arm notched transversely with its lower end entered in one of the bottom depressions, two pairs of notched blocks disposed at right angles to and interlocking with each other and with the upright arm with the blocks of one pair entered in the arm notches, the interlocking block pairs notched in direction parallel with the upright arm to receive a key, and a paralleling the arm and entered in said key notches.

o. A receptacle comprising a bottom memher, a succession of depressions in the bottom member near its edge and a succession of block-formed units raised from the bottom member and constituting a Wall, each unit consisting of an upright arm notched transversely and with its lower end entered in one of the bottom depressions, blocks disposed at rlght. angles to and interlocking vith each other and with the upright arm with the blocks of one pair entered in the arm notches, the interlocking block pairs notched in direction parallel with the up right arm and in a plane outside the edge of the bottom member, and an upright key entered in said notches and extending down ward over the edge of the bottom member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUST HAAS.

Witnesses:

J. M. Nnsnrr, F. E. GATTHER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

